Hill Not Ready To Return Yet

Orlando's Grant Hill Practiced Monday But Said His Ankle Isn't Well Enough To Allow Him To Play Tonight.

December 5, 2000|By Tim Povtak of The Sentinel Staff

Grant Hill will get a second chance to make a good first impression -- but it won't be tonight.

Hill dismissed speculation Monday that he was ready to return from an injured left ankle, putting a damper on the enthusiasm that accompanied his first full practice in more than a month.

The Magic (7-11) face the Boston Celtics (8-9) tonight at TD Waterhouse Centre, but if they expect to build on back-to-back victories against New Jersey, they will do so without Hill on the court.

"Just because I practiced once doesn't mean everything is all good now," Hill said after a two-hour practice Monday. "I don't expect to play. It is still a little sore."

Hill, a five-time all-star in Detroit, signed with the Magic this summer after surgery to repair a broken bone in his ankle. He played just two games, the first and third of the season, before going on the injured list to continue rehabilitation. In those two games, Hill didn't look anything close to being the dominating player he has been throughout his career.

Now after a month of rehab, Monday's full-scrimmage results were mixed. Magic Coach Doc Rivers said he saw an explosiveness to Hill's game that he never saw earlier when Hill tried to play through the soreness and the breaking down of scar tissue.

"That was the best he's looked since he's been here," Rivers said. "He was explosive, strong -- but out of game shape. He was tired, winded, but considering how long he's been out, it was very encouraging. When he's ready, he'll play. If he needs another day or two, we'll wait. We've waited this long."

A week ago, the Magic targeted their West Coast trip that begins Dec. 11 in Los Angeles as a potential return date for Hill, but some of his recent on-court workouts raised everyone's expectations. The Magic play the Denver Nuggets on Thursday in the only other game this week.

"The last time [in November] I erred on the side of not being cautious enough," Hill said. "So I'm not going to rush to any conclusions now. This was a trial day, a test day, and it was good, but let's see how it feels [today]."

Hill said he expects to suit up in this morning's practice. He will consult with various doctors this morning. After the original surgery April 28, he was told that the rehab would take nine months, although he has tried to fast-forward through the process.

"I wasn't dominating in practice today, but I did pretty well. At times, though, I didn't do well," Hill said. "I wish I could say, `It's going to be this day, or that day that I'm back,' but I can't. We're taking our time, going through layers."

Rivers said he likely won't start Hill in his first game back but will use him in reserve for at least one game. He has said several times that he hopes the Magic would be at the .500 mark when Hill returns.

"He's still one of the top five players in the NBA, although he's not going to be there when he first comes back," Rivers said. "Having him back will help tremendously. It will open up so much for everyone. But even if he doesn't come back this week, we can get these games with what we have."

The Magic are expected to remain with the lineup they have used the past two weeks, with Bo Outlaw at Hill's small forward spot. It allows them to be bigger on the front line with both Michael Doleac and John Amaechi starting.

Hill's absence has given Tracy McGrady a great chance to shine, and he has capitalized, even when the Magic struggle around him. McGrady has averaged 41 minutes, 20.5 shots and 24.8 points per game. He scored 28, 31 and 40 points in his past three games after returning from a two-game absence. He missed both games with an infected left hand, although he continues to play with the hand heavily bandaged.

"I got to participate in an entire practice, which I never really did during preseason or early in the regular season. And that was the encouraging part," Hill said.